Silk Screen film festival shuts down

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

What is known is that the Silk Screen Asian Arts Organization, which has showcased AsianAmerican films in Pittsburgh since 2005, is suspending operations. What is not completely clear is why.

The organization officially suspended operations Tuesday, posting a note on its website that it was “part of a long-planned board decision due to financial challenges and the need to position the organization’s programming for the long term.”

But employee Sereny Welsby wonders whether the decision had something to do with sexual harassment complaints she and others made against executive director Harish Saluja. The allegations were first reported by KDKA-TV.

She detailed her complaints to the board Aug. 29 and was fired, along with another employee, on Tuesday — their first day back at work after the group’s signature film festival ended Sept. 30. The only remaining Silk Screen employee is Mr. Saluja, who plans to resign Dec. 31.

She said she was not given a reason for being fired, other than that the organization was suspending operations.

Ms. Welsby, 30, said Mr. Saluja called her stupid, swore at her and told her, “I need you to look sexy.” She said he instructed her how he’d like her to wear her hair “down and straight,” that she should watch YouTube makeup tutorials and that she should be wearing high heels.

A former employee, Sarah Miller, sent a letter to Mayor Bill Peduto about two weeks ago detailing similar concerns about Mr. Saluja. “He and Chief of Staff Dan Gilman then communicated with the employee and thanked her for coming forward,” said Peduto spokesman Timothy McNulty. Mr. Peduto, who is on the organization’s advisory board, also